In a continued demonstration of regional solidarity, Venezuela has launched its fifth major humanitarian mission to Cuba, dispatching a vessel laden with critical supplies to assist in the island’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa. The shipment, which set sail on December 9, carries a cargo of household goods and construction materials essential for rebuilding efforts.
This initiative falls under the framework of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), a bloc designed to foster cooperation among its member nations. The aid is specifically targeted at mitigating the extensive damage inflicted when Hurricane Melissa, a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, made landfall on October 29.
The Venezuelan government’s response was swift and multi-faceted. The relief operation commenced immediately after the disaster with an airlift delivering 26 tons of supplies. This was followed by a substantial maritime effort. On November 8, the ALBA ship transported 5,000 tons of aid alongside a brigade of electrical workers. Merely two days later, a second vessel departed with over 2,500 tons of humanitarian cargo, coinciding with the arrival of 22 Venezuelan specialists from the electricity, transport, and public works sectors to provide on-the-ground expertise.
A significant third shipment, comprising more than 7,110 tons of aid, sailed from the international port of La Guaira on November 28. Its diverse cargo included 76 containers of food, heavy machinery like backhoe loaders, and specialized supplies for the reconstruction of housing and road infrastructure.
Rander Peña, Executive Secretary of ALBA-TCP, provided a comprehensive tally to the press, revealing that the total aid sent to Cuba has now surpassed 12,000 tons. This immense contribution encompasses a wide array of necessities, including food, appliances, mattresses, medical supplies, construction and electrical materials, and even toys.
Echoing the sentiment behind the mission, a high-ranking official stated on social media that providing vital supplies to the Cuban people honors the legacy of Fidel Castro, emphasizing that true solidarity is defined not by giving one’s surplus, but by sharing what one possesses.